Hebrew Theological College was saddened to learn of the loss of HaRav Aryeh Rottman, zt'l. Rav Rottman, a prestigious alumnus of our Yeshiva was the founder and Menahal of Yeshivas Mercaz HaTorah in Talpiot, Jerusalem. Rav Rottman attended Bais Hamidrash LaTorah-Hebrew Theological College as a student where he learned from the famed Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Chaim Kreisworth, zt"l. Rav Rottman graduated in 1953 and received his Semicha in 1959.

Early in Rav Rottman's career, he started out as a Rav in Miami Beach, Florida where he opened the Mesivta of Miami Beach at a time before Jewish high schools existed in the area. He then assumed the position of Rav in Long Beach, NY and founded the Yeshiva of Long Beach.

After the Six Day War, many American Yeshiva students were drawn to continue their Torah studies in Eretz Yisroel. Rav Rottman recognized the need for a yeshiva designed to meet the specific needs of American students and went on to establish Mercaz Hatorah. Under the guidance of the Steipler Gaon, zt"l, he also established a unique Kollel with the goal of cultivating educators for future rabbinic roles in Eretz Yisroel. With his unique personal guidance, for close to 5 decades, Rav Rottman impacted the lives and taught Torah to thousands of students.

"This was the chinuch he received from our Yeshiva," said his nephew and FYHS Rebbi, Rabbi Meir Segal. "To have hakaros hatov by giving back to fellow Jews just as the past Jewish teachers gave to you."

המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים

May the Omnipresent comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem